Stick-type cosmetic paint container

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a stick-type cosmetic container comprising an outer cylinder, a sleeve, an inner container in which a stick-type cosmetic can be filled, a small projection provided on the inner container being guided by an inner container guiding groove formed on the sleeve, the small projection moving upward and downward along a helical groove formed on the inner surface of the outer cylinder, and the stick-type cosmetic filled in the inner container being projected and retracted, characterized in that the lower end of the inner container guiding groove formed on the sleeve is opened and a retaining mechanism for the small projection is provided at the lower portion of the inner container guiding groove. According to the present invention, there is provided a stick-type cosmetic container used for the cosmetics such as lipstick, lip cream, concealer, skin whitening stick, sun screen stick, in which refilling and replacement can be performed by the use of a simple jig, and there is no problem of dropping of the inner container when in use.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a stick-type cosmetic container and,more specifically, to a stick-type cosmetic container in which only astick-type cosmetic filled therein can easily be replaced.

BACKGROUND ART

A stick-type cosmetic container in which a stick-type cosmetic filledtherein is projected and retracted by rotating an outer cylinder iswidely used as a container for lipsticks and other cosmetics such as lipcream and concealer because of its usability or some other reasons.

The stick-type cosmetic container in the related art includes, forexample, an outer cylinder 10, a sleeve 2 and an inner container 7filled with the stick-type cosmetic with an outer decorative cylinderand a lid removed, as shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, the right drawing is across-sectional view substantively showing only the inner container 7(the stick-type cosmetic is not shown), and the left drawing isacross-sectional view showing a state in which only the sleeve 2 isremoved.

A small projection 8 is provided on the lower portion of the outersurface of the inner container 7, and an inner container guiding groove3 is formed on the sleeve 2, and a helical groove 11 is formed on theinner surface of the outer cylinder 10. The small projection 8 on theinner container 7 moves upward and downward along the inner containerguiding groove 3 on the sleeve 2 in accordance with the rotation of thehelical groove 11 on the outer cylinder 10, and the stick-type cosmeticis projected and retracted accordingly.

In this manner, the small projection 8 of the inner container 7 movesupward and downward along the inner container guiding groove 3 of thesleeve 2 in accordance with rotation of the outer cylinder 10. However,if it moves endlessly, the inner container 7 finally drops out of thesleeve 2, and thus it is necessary to limit the movement of the smallprojection 8 on the inner container 7 to a certain range. Therefore, inthe stick-type cosmetic container in the related art, the innercontainer 7 is prevented from being dropped out by closing both ends ofthe inner container guiding groove 3 or by avoiding formation of thehelical groove 11 to the end of the inner surface of the outer cylinder.

The stick-type cosmetic container in the related art, having suchstructure described above, has no problem when it is used as adisposable container. However, when refilling or replacing isconsidered, it is very inconvenient to use. In other words, since theinner container is configured not to be dropped out, replacement of theinner container itself has to be done after disassembling the cosmeticcontainer once.

In recent years, in accordance with widespread movement of resourcesaving or recycling, cosmetic containers which can be refilled orreplaced are preferred. However, as regards the stick-type cosmeticcontainer, the container in which only the stick-type cosmetic can bereplaced has not been provided as a matter of fact in above-mentionedreasons.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide astick-type cosmetic container in which refilling and replacement caneasily be performed, while the risk of dropping of the inner containerin normal use can be avoided.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Having been dedicated to studying means for solving the problemsdescribed above, the present inventors completed the present inventionfrom such idea that both of refilling and replacing, and prevention ofdropping of the inner container can be realized simultaneously byutilizing such characteristic that the inner container moves upward anddownward along one of the inner container guiding groove by the helicalgroove formed on the inner surface of the outer cylinder.

In other words, the present invention provides a stick-type cosmeticcontainer including an outer cylinder, a sleeve, and an inner container,in which the stick-type cosmetic can be filled, wherein a smallprojection formed on the inner container is guided along an innercontainer guiding groove formed on the sleeve, and is moved upward anddownward by a helical groove formed on the inner surface of the outercylinder for projecting and retracting the stick-type cosmetic filled inthe inner container, characterized in that the lower end of the innercontainer guiding groove formed on the sleeve is opened and a retainingmechanism of the small projection is provided on the lower portion ofthe inner container guiding groove.

The present invention also provides a method of preparing the stick-typecosmetic wherein the stick-type cosmetic container described above isused and the cosmetic is filled from the bottom portion of thecontainer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a structure of a stick-type cosmeticcontainer in the related art.

FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a structure according to an embodiment of astick-type cosmetic container according to the present invention. Aninner container is located at the uppermost position.

FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a configuration of a sleeve used in thestick-type cosmetic container shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a drawing showing the shape of the inner container used in thestick-type cosmetic container shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a drawing showing the movement of a small projection and therelation between an inner container guiding groove and a smallprojection storage recess.

FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a state in which the inner container ismoved partway downward in the stick-type cosmetic container shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a state in which the inner container ismoved downward and the small projection is stored in the smallprojection storage recess in the stick-type cosmetic container shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a drawing of a stick-type cosmetic container according to thepresent invention showing a configuration in which the top surface ofthe small projection provided on the inner container and the innersurface of an outer cylinder come into contact with each other.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a contact state between the topsurface of the small projection and the inner surface of the outercylinder in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a drawing showing a configuration in which a stop point isprovided on the sleeve which constitutes the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a partly enlarged drawing showing the positional relationbetween the small projection storage recess and the stop point in astate in which the stop point is provided on the sleeve.

FIG. 12 is a drawing showing an embodiment of a sealing device.

FIG. 13 is a drawing showing an example of a flow of using a stick-typecosmetic container 1 of the present invention, filling cosmetic into thestick-type cosmetic container 1, and then conducting a test by bringingthe stick-type cosmetic outwardly of the container, and returning thecosmetic again into the container.

FIG. 14 is a drawing showing an example of the shape of the bottom.

FIG. 15 is a drawing showing the structure of another embodiment of thestick-type cosmetic container of the present invention. The innercontainer is located at the lowermost position.

FIG. 16 is a drawing showing the shapes of the sleeve, the innercontainer, and the outer cylinder used in the stick-type cosmeticcontainer shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a drawing showing the relation between the angle of a helicalgroove and the angle of a locking surface in the embodiment shown inFIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a drawing showing a configuration in which the distal end oflocking surface is moved upward (the state in which the angle formedbetween the guiding groove and the locking surface is an acute angle).

FIG. 19 is a drawing showing the structure of an embodiment in which thelocking projections are provided at two levels. The inner container islocated at the lowermost position.

FIG. 20 is a drawing showing a state in which the inner container is atthe lowermost position in normal use in the embodiment shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a drawing showing the shapes of the sleeve and the innercontainer used in the stick-type cosmetic container according to theembodiment shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 22 is a drawing showing the structure in which two smallprojections are provided. The inner container is located at thelowermost position.

FIG. 23 is a drawing showing a state in which the inner container is atthe lowermost position in the normal use in the embodiment shown in FIG.22.

FIG. 24 is a drawing showing the shapes of the sleeves and the innercontainer used in the stick-type cosmetic container in the embodimentshown in FIG. 22.

FIG. 25 is a drawing showing a configuration in which part of the innercontainer guiding groove is notched at the position corresponding to theposition of the locking projection on the opposite side.

FIG. 26 is a drawing showing the shapes of the sleeves and the innercontainer used in the stick-type cosmetic container in the embodimentshown in FIG. 25.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, referring now to the drawings showing some embodiments ofthe present invention, the present invention will be described furtherin detail. However, the present invention is not limited to theseembodiments.

FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the structure of an embodiment of astick-type cosmetic container according to the present invention. Thedrawing on the right side is a cross-sectional view substantivelyshowing only an inner container, and the drawing on the left side is across-sectional view showing a state in which only a sleeve is removed(however, the stick-type cosmetic is not shown). In the drawing,reference numeral 1 designates the stick-type cosmetic container,reference numeral 2 designates the sleeve, reference numeral 3designates an inner container guiding groove, reference numeral 4designates a small projection storage recess, reference numeral 5designates a guiding groove end, reference numeral 6 designates an innercontainer stopper, reference numeral 7 designates an inner container,reference numeral 8 designates a small projection, reference numeral 9designates a cosmetic holding projection, reference numeral 10designates an outer cylinder, and reference numeral 11 designates ahelical groove, respectively.

Though the stick-type cosmetic container 1 according to the presentembodiment basically includes the outer cylinder 10 formed with thehelical groove 11 formed on the inner surface thereof, the sleeve 2, andthe inner container 7 for accommodating the stick-type cosmetic as inthe related art described in conjunction with FIG. 1, it differs in theshape of the sleeve and the fact that the helical groove 11 is formed tothe end.

In other words, as seen in the shape of the sleeve 2 used in the presentembodiment shown in FIG. 3, it differs from the sleeve used in thestick-type cosmetic container in the related art in that the innercontainer guiding groove 3 of the sleeve 2 is opened at the lower end 5,in that the small projection storage recess 4 is provided at the lowerportion of the inner container guiding groove 3, and in that the innercontainer stopper 6 is provided at the lower portion of the sleeve 2.

A cross-section of the inner container 7 used in combination therewithis shown in FIG. 4. The inner container has a cylindrical shape pointedonly at the distal end, and includes the cosmetic holding projection 9at the boundary between the pointed portion and the cylindrical portionfor holding the filled stick-type cosmetic in the inner container 7. Inaddition, at the lower portion of the cylindrical portion, the smallprojection 8 of small cylindrical shape is provided.

In the stick-type cosmetic container 1 of the present invention, themechanism in which the inner container 7 does not drop out through thelower portion although the lower end 5 of the inner container guidinggroove 3 is opened, and the helical groove 11 of the outer cylinder 10is formed to the end is as follows.

By rotating the outer cylinder 10 of the stick-type cosmetic container 1in the state shown in FIG. 2 while holding the sleeve 2 to the left, thehelical groove 11 formed on the inside of the outer cylinder 10 providesa force to the small projection of the inner container 7 in the lowerleft direction. However, since the small projection 8 is guided by theinner container guiding groove 3 of the sleeve 2, it cannot be movedleftward, and thus moves only downward.

FIG. 5 shows this state of movement. In the drawing, the smallprojection 8 shown by dotted circles is exerted with a force in thelower left direction by the helical groove 11 shown by the obliquelines. However, since the leftward movement is restrained by the innercontainer guiding groove 3, it moves downward along the left end of theinner container guiding groove 3. FIG. 6 shows the midstage of thismovement in the same manner as FIG. 2 (however, the outer cylinderportion is omitted in the drawing on the right side).

By rotating the outer cylinder leftward in this manner, the smallprojection 8 is moved downward, and the inner container 7 also movesdownward correspondingly. However, since the small projection storagerecess 4 is provided at the position near the lower end 5 of the innercontainer guiding groove 3, a leftward force, which has been restrainedby the left end of the inner container guiding groove 3 until thatmoment, is exerted, and thus the small projection 8 is stored and heldin the small projection storage recess 4, not at the position shown by acircle of the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 5. Therefore, since thesmall projection 8 is restrained in the small projection storage recess4, it cannot be moved further downward even when an attempt is made tofurther rotate the outer cylinder 10. FIG. 7 shows this state in thesame manner as FIG. 2 (however, the outer cylindrical portion is omittedin the drawing on the right side).

In addition, when the inner container stopper 6 is provided at the lowerend of the sleeve 2, it serves as a resistance with respect to thedescending inner container 7, and hence the force acting on the smallprojection 8 exerted from the right side is increased, and thus thesmall projection 8 can easily enter into the small projection storagerecess 4. The inner containers topper 6 may not only be the one whichcompletely stop the inner container 7, but also be the one thatgenerates a resistance to the downward movement when in contact. Forexample, it can be provided by forming a small projection of a convexshape on the inner side of the lower end of the sleeve 2.

As another means for allowing easy entrance of the small projection 8into the small projection storage recess 4, there is a method ofbringing at least part of the top surface 8 a of the small projection 8and the inner surface 10 a of the outer cylinder 10 into contact witheach other as shown in FIG. 8. According to this method, when the smallprojection 8 moves upward and downward in the inner container guidinggroove 3, at least part of the top surface 8 a of the small projection 8and the inner surface 10 a of the outer cylinder 10 keep constantly incontact with each other and hence a resistance is generated as shown inFIG. 9. Therefore, a force acting on the small projection 8 exerted fromthe right side is increased and thus it can easily enter into the smallprojection storage recess 4. When implementing the present embodiment,it is preferable to provide the outer cylinder 10 having the samediameter from the top to the bottom, and in this case, it is preferableto reduce a thickness t of the outer cylinder 10 to provide resiliency.Means for bringing the part of the top surface 8 a of the smallprojection 8 into contact with the inner surface 10 a of the outercylinder 10 includes a method of setting down the center portion of thetop surface 8 a and allowing only the peripheral portion to come incontact therewith, or a method of providing a rib at the center andallowing only the rib to come into contact therewith.

Subsequently, in order to bring the stick-type cosmetic up from thestick-type cosmetic container 1 in the state shown in FIG. 7 (to moveupward), the outer cylinder 10 maybe rotated rightward, in contrast tothe means described above. The small projection 8 stored and held in thesmall projection storage recess 4 receives a force in the upper rightdirection by the force of the helical groove 11 formed on the outercylinder 10, and is moved upward along the right end of the innercontainer guiding groove 3, and then the inner container 7 also movesupward correspondingly.

With this mechanism, the inner container 7 moves upward and downward inthe sleeve 2 without dropping out. However, when the stick-type cosmeticfilled in the inner container 7 has used up, it can easily be replacedtogether with the inner container 7 by following means.

In a first place, the inner container 7 is moved to the lowermostposition, and the small projection 8 is stored in the small projectionstorage recess 4. Then, by suitable means such as the usage of a jig,the small projection 8 on the inner container 7 is moved from the smallprojection storage recess 4 to the position shown by the circle of thedouble-dashed line in FIG. 5. When it is moved to this position, sincethe lower end 5 of the inner container guiding groove 3 is opened, andthus the spent stick-type cosmetic can easily be taken out together withthe inner container 7 by surmounting the resistance of the innercontainer stopper 6 by the operation of the jig.

Subsequently, replacement of the stick-type cosmetic is completed byinserting a new stick-type cosmetic filled in the inner container fromthe bottom of the stick-type cosmetic container 1 and storing the smallprojection 8 into the small projection storage recess 4 by the use ofthe jig again.

In the stick-type cosmetic container 1 of the present invention, it ispossible to fill the stick-type cosmetic in the inner container 7 inadvance and mounting it in the container 1. However, it is also possibleto mount the inner container 7 without having the stick-type cosmeticfilled therein into the stick-type cosmetic container 1 and then fillingthe cosmetic in the melted state from the bottom of the cosmeticcontainer 1 into the sleeve 2 or the inner container 7 to apredetermined level and making it solid by cooling or the like toprepare the stick-type cosmetic.

The shape of the sleeve 2 of the stick-type cosmetic container 1suitable for the preparing method of the latter is shown in FIG. 10.

The sleeve 2 shown in FIG. 10 further includes a stop point 14 at thelower portion of the small projection storage recess 4 formed on theinner container guiding groove 3 (In this embodiment, the smallprojection 8 is placed at the position marked with a hatched circle inthe drawing when being filled). FIG. 11 is a partial enlarged drawingshowing the positional relation between the small projection storagerecess 4 and the stop point 14 in the present embodiment. In the presentembodiment, two small projections 14 a are provided continuously at thelower portion of the small projection storage recess 4 in the innercontainer guiding groove 3, and the portion interposed between theprojections 14 a is used as the stop point 14. Reference sign “X”designates the distance between the center of the small projectionstorage recess 4 and the center of the stop point 14.

The sleeve 2 is used with sealing device 15 shown in FIG. 12, which isto be mounted to the opening thereof, and is capable of bringing thedistal end of the sleeve and the distal end surface of the stick-typecosmetic flush with each other.

In other words, in preparing the stick-type cosmetic, when the cosmeticwas filled using the normal cover, there arose the problem in that thecosmetic leaks from the gap of the cover, and attached to the edge ofthe opening, which lowered the commercial value.

Such drawback can be resolved by filling the cosmetic so as not to reachthe opening of the sleeve, that is, by using a cap which is set backinwardly. However, when the stick-type cosmetic is not filled up to thelevel of the opening of the sleeve when starting to use, the consumermay think that the filling amount is not sufficient, which is notcommercially desirable as a commodity design.

In order to cope with such problems, the stop point 14 which is capableof fixing the small projection 8 temporarily is provided on the innercontainer guide groove 3 of the sleeve 2 downwardly of the smallprojection storage recess 4, and the sealing device 15 is mounted to theopening of the sleeve 2 when filling and molding the cosmetic. Inaddition, it was found that the positional relation between the distalend of the sleeve and the distal end surface of the cosmetic can becontrolled freely and aligned by providing inward setbacks on thesealing device 15 corresponding to the interval between the smallprojection storage recess 4 and the stop point 14.

FIG. 12 is an embodiment of the sealing device used for theabove-described object, in which A is a perspective view and B is across-sectional view. In the drawings, reference numeral 15 a designatesan insertion portion, reference numeral 15 b designates a fittingportion, and reference numeral 15 c designates an air hole.

FIG. 13 shows an example of flow including the steps of filling thecosmetic in the stick-type cosmetic container 1 using the sleeve 2 shownin FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 and the stick-type cosmetic container 1 includingthe sealing device 15 shown in FIG. 12 to prepare the stick-typecosmetic, inspecting the stick-type cosmetic by bringing it up, andreturning the cosmetic into the cosmetic container 1.

In other words, the sealing device 15 is placed on an opening 2 a of thesleeve in a state with the small projection 8 (black portion in FIG. 13)stored in the stop point 14, and the opening 2 a of the sleeve isclamped between the insertion portion 15 a and the fitting portion 15 bof the sealing device 15 for fixing and sealing. Subsequently, byinverting the cosmetic container 1 so as to be upside down, and fillingthe stick-type cosmetic in the melted state from the bottom thereof, thecosmetic can be filled in the hatched portion, and may be cooled andsolidified so that the stick-type cosmetic 16 is formed and prepared (Ain FIG. 13).

When the sealing device 15 is removed from the opening 2 a of the sleeveafter filling and molding of the cosmetic, the stick-type cosmetic 16 isobtained in a state in which the portion of the sleeve on the distal endside is not filled with the cosmetic by the length Y (See the drawingB). Then when the outer cylinder 10 is rotated rightward, the smallprojection 8 moves away from the stop point 14 and moves along the rightend of the inner container guiding groove 3 upward without being storedin the small projection storage recess 4 positioned on the left side ofthe guiding groove 3. At this time, the stick-type cosmetic 16 movesaway from the surface of the sleeve 2, moves upward in the state ofbeing fixed to the inner container 7, and is brought up from the sleeveopening 2 a. (See the drawing C. An arrow indicates the direction inwhich the stick-type cosmetic 16 advances. It is the same in the drawingE).

The stick-type cosmetic 16 is inspected in the state of being bought upto the maximum (See the drawing D). After the inspection, by rotatingthe outer cylinder 10 toward the left, the small projection 8 movesdownward along the left end of the inner container guiding groove 3, andthe stick-type cosmetic 16 also moved downward according to the movementof the inner container 7 (See the drawing E). Then, the small projection8 is finally stored and held in the small projection storage recess 4provided at the lower left of the guiding groove 3 (See the drawing F).

In this manner, according to the present embodiment, the position of thesmall projection 8 (at the stop point 14) when starting the fillingoperation differs from the position of the small projection 8 (in thesmall projection storage recess 4) at the time of shipping. In thiscase, by setting the distance X between the stop point 14 and the smallprojection storage recess 4 to meet the length of the sealing device 15(that is, the unfilled portion Y at the distal end), the distal endsurface of the stick-type cosmetic 16 and the opening 2 a of the sleevepreferably coincide with each other when the small projection 8 isstored in the small projection storage recess 4. In addition, since thesealing device 15 which is set back inwardly is used, the cosmetic doesnot leak from the edge of the sleeve opening 2 a when filling thecosmetic, and hence the problem of stain at the opening 2 a may beavoided.

The shape of the stop point 14 in the present embodiment is not limitedas long as it can stop the small projection 8 when filling the cosmetic.However, the shape which fixes the small projection 8 and,simultaneously, allows it to move easily when moving upward along theright end of the inner container guiding groove 3 is preferable. Withsuch shape, when bringing up the stick-type cosmetic 16 (moving thesmall projection 8 upward) by rotating the outer cylinder 10 rightwardafter filling and molding the cosmetic, the small projection 8 issubjected to the force in the right upward direction, so that thestick-type cosmetic 16 does not rotate by itself when being brought up,and the upward movement along the right end of the inner containerguiding groove 3 is done smoothly.

Another reason why the embodiment described above is preferable is asfollows. Since the cosmetic filled in the stick-type cosmetic container1 slightly shrinks when being cooled and solidified, the outer surfaceof the cosmetic normally comes away from the inner surface of thesleeve. However, the cosmetic and the sleeve may stay in tight contacton rare occasion. In such a state, when a rotational force is exerted tothe cosmetic in order to bring up the stick-type cosmetic by rotatingthe outer cylinder 10 rightward, the cosmetic may disadvantageously bebroken since the sleeve 2 and the cosmetic are in tight contact witheach other. On the other hand, by employing the stop point 14 in theconfiguration as described above, the small projection 8 received onlythe upward force, and thus the cosmetic can be peeled off the innersurface of the sleeve without rotating the stick-type cosmetic whenbeing brought up.

The stop point 14 is preferably formed by machining the lower portion ofthe small projection storage recess 4 in the inner container guidinggroove 3 into the configuration shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 asdescribed in the embodiment described above. Though not shown, it isalso possible to form the lower end of the small projection storagerecess 4 so as to overhang into the inner container guiding groove 3. Inthis configuration as well, the small projection 8 can easily be movedalong the right end of the inner container guiding groove 3.

The shape of the sealing device 15 in the present embodiment is notspecifically limited as long as it can close the opening of the sleeve2. However, the length Y preferably coincides with the distance Xbetween the small projection storage recess 4 and the stop point 14. Inaddition, like the configuration shown in FIG. 12, by forming thesuitable air hole 15 c for allowing air ventilation, air can easily beflown into the gap between the inner surface of the sleeve 2 and thecosmetic when the cosmetic shrinks in response to cooling at the time offilling and molding, and hence peeling off of the cosmetic is preferablyperformed smoothly. In addition, it is further preferable to employ acapsule-shape, since it can be removed easily.

Though the number of the air hole 15 c is not specifically limited,forming three or four air holes 15 c is preferable in view of usabilityand manufacturability of the sealing device 15.

The position of the small projection 8 at the stop point 14 shown inFIG. 11 is slightly displaced in the direction of rotation from theposition of the small projection storage recess 4 when the stick-typecosmetic is stored. This configuration has no problem as long as theshape of the distal end of the stick-type cosmetic is rotationalsymmetry with respect to the centerline of the stick-type cosmetic.However, in the case where the distal end is inclined as shown in FIG.10, the direction of the end surface of the opening of the sleeve 2 andthe direction of the end surface of the stick-type cosmetic when thestick-type container is stored do not coincide due to theabove-described displacement in the direction of rotation, which mayresult in rough finish. In such case (in the configuration shown in FIG.10), it is preferable to correct the shape of the sealing device 15 tothe extent corresponding to such displacement in advance so that both ofthe surfaces coincide with each other.

In the stick-type cosmetic container 1 of the present invention, sincethere are cases in which the stick-type cosmetic is taken in and outfrom the bottom, it is necessary that the bottom is opened to someextent. However, since such state does not present good appearance, thebottom 12 may be formed, for example, into the shape shown in FIG. 14,and adhered with a sticker in normal use. The size of the hole on thebottom 12 may be slightly larger than the inner container 7, and a notch13 may be formed so as to correspond to the small projection 8.

It will be convenient to mark the product number, the color tone, andthe like on the sticker to be adhered on the bottom 12 when purchasingthe stick-type cosmetic for replacement.

Another configuration of the small projection retaining mechanism of thestick-type cosmetic container of the invention is shown in FIG. 15 toFIG. 16. In the drawings, reference numeral 101 designates a sleeve,reference numeral 102 designates an inner container guiding groove,reference numeral 103 designates an outer cylinder, reference numeral104 designates a helical groove, reference numeral 105 designates anannular projection, reference numeral 106 designates a recess groove,reference numeral 107 designates an inner container, reference 108designates a small projection, reference numeral 112 designates alocking projection, reference numeral 113 designates a locking surface,reference numeral 114 designates a gentle slope, and reference numeral115 designates a locking notch.

In this configuration, the retaining mechanism including the lockingprojection 112 formed at the lower portion of the inner containerguiding groove 102 and the locking notch 115 formed at the positioncorresponding to the locking projection 112 of the small projection 108is provided.

The locking projection 112 is formed to make the width of the innercontainer guiding groove 102 smaller than the diameter of the smallprojection 108 on the inner container 107, and is formed on the sidesurface toward which the small projection 108 is pushed against by thehelical groove 104 when the inner container 107 is moved downward (theleft side in FIG. 15). The upper surface of the locking projection 112is formed with a substantially horizontal locking surface 113 so as tofit to the locking notch 115 of the small projection 108. Since a forceto push the small projection 108 toward the left is generated when thesmall projection 108 is moved downward, the small projection 108 cannotclimb over the locking projection 112, and hence the inner container 107is prevented from dropping out of the sleeve 101.

It is necessary to define the angle formed between the locking surface113 and the upper portion of the inner container guiding groove 102(angle A in the drawing) smaller than the angle formed between thehelical groove 104 and the upper portion of the inner container guidegroove 102 (angle B in the drawing) as shown in FIG. 17. The lowersurface 114 of the locking projection 112 is preferably a gentle slopeso that the small projection 108 can easily climb over the lockingprojection 112 by broadening the width of the inner container guidinggroove 102 when setting the inner container 107 to the sleeve 101.

In the stick-type cosmetic according to the present invention, it isnecessary to allow the sleeve 101 and the outer cylinder 103 to rotatefreely but keep them not to be dropped out easily. In order to do so,for example, a mechanism in which the annular projection 105 formed intoa ring-shape at the substantially center of the sleeve 101 is clamped inthe recess groove 106 formed on top of the outer cylinder 103 as shownin FIG. 16 may be provided.

Though the small projection 108 in this configuration is notspecifically limited, it is preferable to form it into a small column inorder to ensure fitting between the locking notch 115 and the lockingprojection 112. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 18, the distal end ofthe locking surface 113 may be raised in order to enhance the effect ofholding the small projection 108.

In the retaining mechanism described above, it is also possible toprovide a plurality of either small projections 108 or locking notches115 to provide a plurality of holding positions.

For example, FIG. 19 to FIG. 21 show the configuration in which thelocking projections 112 are provided at two levels.

In this configuration, the single small projection 108 is provided onthe inner container 107, while the upper locking projection 112 a andthe lower locking projection 112 b are provided at two levels aligned inthe vertical direction, and the respective locking projections areformed respectively with locking surfaces 113 a, 113 b and gentle slopes114 a, 114 b.

In the cosmetic storage container having two locking projections alignedin the vertical direction as described above, the cosmetic can be filledfrom the bottom finely by the following procedure. When filling thecosmetic into the container, as shown in FIG. 19, the inner container107 is brought down to the position where the small projection 108 islocked with the lower locking projection 112 b, then sealing device (notshown) is placed on the opening at the distal end of the sleeve 101, andthen the sealing device is fixed and sealed. Subsequently, by invertingthe cosmetic container so as to be upside down, and filling thestick-type cosmetic in the melted state therein from the bottom, thecosmetic can be filled to the predetermined level, and may be cooled andsolidified to mold and prepare the stick-type cosmetic.

The stick-type cosmetic is solidified and molded in this manner.However, when the sealing device for sealing the opening at the distalend of the sleeve 101 having a length corresponding to the distancebetween the two locking projections is employed, the sealing device isremoved once, then the inner container 107 is brought upward until itpasses over the position where the small projection 108 is locked withthe upper locking projection 112 a for investigating whether or notthere is abnormality in the solidified cosmetic, and then is againbrought down. Consequently, the small projection 108 is locked with theupper locking projection 112 a as shown in FIG. 20, and is stopped andheld there. Since the distal end surface of the stick-type cosmetic atthis time substantially coincides with the distal end of the sleeve and,in addition, the surface thereof is as smooth as the surface of thesealing device, it can be provided as a final product.

Examples of the sleeve 101 and the inner container 107 used in thisconfiguration are shown in FIG. 21.

As another example of the retaining mechanism in which the plurality ofholding positions are provided, a configuration in which two smallprojections including an upper small projection 108 a and a lower smallprojection 108 b are provided as small projections including the lockingnotches 115 as shown in FIG. 22 and FIG. 24 may be provided.

The operational mechanism in this configuration is basically the same asthe configurations described above, and when filling the cosmetic intothe container, the inner container 107 is brought down to the positionwhere the upper small projection 108 a is locked with the lockingprojection 112 as shown in FIG. 22, and the sealing device (not shown)is placed on the opening at the distal end of the sleeve 101, and thesealing device is fixed and sealed. Subsequently, by inverting thecosmetic container to be upside down, and filling the stick-typecosmetic in the melted state from the bottom, the cosmetic can be filledto the predetermined level, and may be cooled and solidified to mold andprepare the stick-type cosmetic.

When the sealing device having a length corresponding to the distancebetween the two small projections is used when solidifying and molding,the sealing device is removed, the inner container 107 is brought upwarduntil it passes over the position where the lower small projection 108 bis locked with the locking projection 112 once for investigating whetheror not there is abnormality in the solidified cosmetic, and then isagain brought down. Consequently, the lower small projection 108 b islocked with the locking projection 112 as shown in FIG. 23, and isstopped and held there. Since the distal end surface of the stick-typecosmetic at this time substantially coincides with the distal end of thesleeve and, in addition, the surface thereof is as smooth as the surfaceof the sealing device, it can be provided as a final product.

Examples of the sleeve 101 and the inner container 107 used in thisconfiguration is shown in FIG. 24.

In the retaining mechanism including the locking projection 112 and thesmall projection 108 having the locking notch 115, a recess 120 may beformed by removing part of the inner container guiding groove 102 at theposition corresponding to the locking projection 112 on the oppositeside as shown in FIG. 25 and FIG. 26.

The recess 120 is formed for facilitating passage of the smallprojection 108 through the portion of the locking projection 112 whenmoving the inner container 107 upward, and thus the inner container 107can easily be mounted into the sleeve 101.

The stick-type cosmetic container of the present invention thus obtainedcan be prepared as substantially the same products as the stick-typecosmetic container which has been provided in the related art inmaterial, size and shape except for the shape of the sleeve 2 or 101,the fact that the helical groove 11 or 111 on the outer cylinder isformed to the end, and the shape of the small projection according tothe second embodiment. In other words, the distal end of the innercontainer may not be the pointed shape, but may be other shapes, andmaterials for the sleeve 2 or 101, the inner container 7 or 107, and theouter cylinder 10 or 110 may be various types of metal or plastic as inthe related art. In addition, it is also possible to cover or coat theouter surface of the outer cylinder with metal to obtain a decorativecylinder, or to coat the same in various manners. A lid may be provided.Materials to be used for these members maybe paper or ceramics inaddition to the metal or plastic, as long as it can keep the shape.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the stick-type cosmetic container of the present invention,the inner container does not drop out when in use, but can easily bereplaced by the use of a simple jig when the stick-type cosmetic iscompletely used.

Therefore, it can be effectively used for the cosmetics such aslipstick, lip cream, concealer, skin whitening stick, sun screen stickas a stick-type cosmetic container which realizes resource saving andrecycling.

1. A stick-type cosmetic container comprising an outer cylinder, asleeve, an inner container in which a stick-type cosmetic can be filled,a small projection provided on the inner container being guided by aninner container guiding groove formed on the sleeve, the smallprojection moving upward and downward along a helical groove formed onthe inner surface of the outer cylinder, and the stick-type cosmeticfilled in the inner container being projected and retracted,characterized in that the lower end of the inner guiding groove formedon the sleeve is opened and a recess for storing the small projection isprovided at the lower portion of the inner container guiding groove as aretaining mechanism for the small projection and a stopper for the smallprojection is provided at the lower portion of the recess.
 2. (canceled)3. A stick-type cosmetic container according to claim 1, wherein therecess for storing the small projection is provided on the side whichreceives a force when the small projection is moved downward.
 4. Astick-type cosmetic container according to claim 3, wherein an innercontainer stopper is provided at the lower end of the sleeve.
 5. Astick-type cosmetic container according to claim 3 or claim 4, whereinat least part of the top surface of the small projection and the innersurface of the outer cylinder come into contact with each other. 6.(canceled)
 7. A stick-type cosmetic container comprising an outercylinder, a sleeve, an inner container in which a stick-type cosmeticcan be filled, a small projection provided on the inner container beingguided by an inner container guiding groove formed on the sleeve, thesmall projection moving upward and downward along a helical grooveformed on the inner surface of the outer cylinder, and the stick-typecosmetic filled in the inner container being projected and retracted,characterized in that the lower end of the inner container guidinggroove formed on the sleeve is opened and a locking projectioncorresponding to a locking notch formed on the small projection isprovided at the lower portion of the inner container guiding groove as aretaining mechanism for the small projection.
 8. A stick-type cosmeticcontainer according to claim 7, wherein the locking projection isprovided on the side which receives a force when the small projection ismoved downward.
 9. A stick-type cosmetic container according to claim 7or claim 8, wherein the locking projection comprises a substantiallyhorizontal surface formed on the upper surface and fitting the lockingnotch of the small projection and a gentle slope formed on the lowersurface.
 10. A stick-type cosmetic container according to any one ofclaim 7 to claim 9, wherein two locking projections are provided at twolevels.
 11. A stick-type cosmetic container according to any one ofclaim 7 to claim 9, wherein two small projections having the lockingnotches are provided.
 12. A stick-type cosmetic container according toany one of claim 7 to claim 11, wherein part of the inner containerguiding groove is removed at the position corresponding to the lockingprojection on the opposite side.
 13. A method of preparing a stick-typecosmetic using the stick-type cosmetic container according to claim 1 orclaim 7 and filling the cosmetic from the bottom of the container. 14.In the stick-type cosmetic container according to any one of claim 1 andclaims 3 to 5, a method of preparing a stick-type cosmetic comprisingthe steps of positioning the small projection at the stop point,mounting sealing device at an opening of the sleeve, and filling thecosmetic from the bottom of the container.
 15. A method of preparing astick-type cosmetic according to claim 14, characterized in that thesealing device of a length corresponding to the distance between therecess for storing the small projection and the stop point is used. 16.In the stick-type cosmetic container according to claim 10, a method ofpreparing a stick-type cosmetic comprising the steps of holding thesmall projection at the lower locking projection of the lockingprojections provided at two levels, mounting the sealing device at theopening of the sleeve, and filling the container.
 17. A method ofpreparing the stick-type cosmetic according to claim 16, characterizedin that the sealing device of a length corresponding to the distancebetween the two locking projections is used.
 18. In the stick-typecosmetic container according to claim 11, a method of preparing astick-type cosmetic comprising the steps of holding the upper smallprojection at the locking projection, mounting the sealing device to theopening of the sleeve to fill the cosmetic.
 19. A method of preparing astick-type cosmetic according to claim 18, characterized in that thesealing device of a length corresponding to the distance between the twolocking projections is used.